Collapsible storage and carrying case

ABSTRACT

A collapsible bag construction includes a telescoping handle mounted on a bracket with a portion of the bracket extending along the bottom edge of the collapsible bag and cooperative with a supplemental or auxiliary rigid bottom panel that may be removed to permit the collapsible bag to be folded for storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/117,100 filedApr. 28, 2005, entitled “Collapsible Storage and Carrying Case” which isa continuation of application Ser. No. 10/393,329, filed Mar. 20, 2003,entitled “Collapsible Storage and Carrying Case” which is acontinuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 09/968,360, filed Oct. 1,2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,592) entitled “Collapsible Storage andCarrying Case” for which priority is claimed and which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a class ofluggage items, bags, and containers, wherein the luggage item, bag orcontainer is generally comprised of flexible material such as fabric,canvas or leather and further wherein the item, container or bagincludes a telescoping handle, wheels and a removable, supplemental,reinforcing bottom plate for maintaining the shape and generalconfiguration of the flexible bag.

Use of a flexible bag, container or luggage item is often preferredinasmuch as such items are more easily stored because they can be foldedor made compact when not in use. Additionally, such items are typicallylighter in weight. Also, because soft-sided luggage items, containers orbags have flexible sides, they may be used to hold and transportuniquely shaped items that could not be easily placed and stored in ahard-sided luggage item or container. Further, flexible bags are oftenmore economical to manufacture and easier to move or transport.

Despite their many desirable characteristics, flexible containers, bagsor luggage items are often difficult to construct with a telescopinghandle and wheels which facilitate ease of transport, particularly whenthe luggage item, container or bag is large. Thus, there has developed aneed to provide flexible or soft-sided luggage items, containers or bagswhich have certain characteristics typically associated with hard-sidedluggage, including the characteristic of being susceptible toincorporation of a telescoping handle and transport wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a collapsible luggage item madefrom a flexible bag with a back side panel and a flexible bottom panelwhich enables compaction for storage when not in use. A telescopinghandle is affixed to the back side panel of the bag and moreparticularly to a rigid bracket positioned at the juncture of theflexible backside and bottom panels. The flexible bottom panel of thebag is designed to incorporate a removable, supplemental, rigid bottompanel or plate. The supplemental bottom panel or plate is capable ofslidably engaging the rigid bracket member positioned at the juncture ofthe flexible backside panel and the flexible bottom panel. When engaged,the rigid, supplemental bottom panel provides a means to reinforce andmaintain the flexible bottom panel when fully open or not compacted tothereby facilitate maintenance of the full shape of the container,luggage item, or bag for use to pack and store items. The supplemental,rigid, attachable and detachable bottom panel may easily be storedwithin the bag or container when not in use, yet may be easily attachedto the flexible bottom panel and rigid bracket or backside when theluggage item is to be used. Various embodiments are depicted includingan embodiment for carriage of tools, an embodiment comprising aninsulated cooler, an embodiment which incorporates an internal framethat may be incorporated with the flexible side panel, an embodimentthat serves as a pet carrier, car seat, backpack and pet bed, as well asother alternative embodiments.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved flexiblebag which includes a telescoping handle and a supplemental or ancillary,rigid or stiff bottom panel cooperative with a bracket that supports thetelescoping handle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved flexiblebag construction which has multiple embodiments including an embodimentas a tool carrier, an insulated container, a duffel bag, a pet carrieror a golf bag, among others.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive,rugged, easily stored, yet easily assembled soft-sided flexible luggageitem, container or bag.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a bag designedspecifically for carrying tools;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 1 as viewed from the backside or opposite side depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the bag of FIG. 1 as viewed fromthe underside or bottom side thereof depicting a rigid supplemental orauxiliary bottom panel or plate which is used to maintain theconfiguration of the bag when it is assembled and ready for use;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the inventionuseful as a tool or implement holder and incorporating a telescopinghandle, wheels and a supplemental bottom panel to maintain the shape orconfiguration of the container or bag;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 4depicting the assembly of the supplemental or ancillary or auxiliarybottom panel with the container or bag;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the bag of FIG. 4 depicting themanner of assembly of an internal frame which is used in combinationwith the flexible bag comprising the container;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the frame used in the constructiondepicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a duffel bag which incorporates a rigidsupplemental or ancillary or auxiliary bottom panel in combination witha telescoping handle;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a golf bag or sport carrying case whichincorporates features of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the inventiondepicting an insulating bag in a collapsed condition;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a rigid, supplemental bottom panelutilized in combination with the collapsed bag of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded isometric view of the bag of FIG. 10 and therigid, supplemental rigid bottom panel or plate;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view depicting the placement of the rigid,supplemental bottom plate for the bag of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is another isometric view of the bottom side of the bag of FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 10 in the fully expandedcondition;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view depicting the interior configuration andarrangement in the bag of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of alternative embodiment of the inventionwhich is especially designed for use as a pet or animal carrier;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 furtherincluding a construction which maintains and facilitates maintenance ofthe configuration of the flexible bag;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 illustratingthe manner of attachment of the supplemental bottom panel which is arigid panel to the flexible bottom panel of the flexible bag;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the first side panel of the embodimentof FIG. 17 illustrating the telescoping handle and supplemental carryingstraps which enable utilization of the bag as a backpack;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the first side of the backpackconfiguration shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 illustrates a further feature of the construction of thebackpack version of the bag;

FIG. 23 illustrates yet a further feature of the backpack animal carrierversion of the bag;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a collapsible bag construction of theinvention exemplified by an additional embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 24 whereincomponent parts forming the collapsible bag are depicted in a partiallyassembled condition;

FIG. 26 is a further isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 24illustrating the manner of assembly of the collapsible bag to a fullyassembled condition;

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 26 depicting theinclusion of various pockets and other features incorporated in the bag;and

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 27 wherein peripheralfasteners associated with the various panels of the bag have beenreleased so as to open the bag and its various panels to form agenerally coplanar flat array.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of theinvention as incorporated in a wide mouth tool bag. The bag isfabricated from leather, canvas, or other flexible fabric and includes afront side 20, a back side 22, a first lateral side 24 and a secondlateral side 26. External pouches or pockets such as pockets 28 and 30are provided on the outside face of front side 20, for example. Lateralside 24 also includes flexible pockets or pouches 32 and 34. Typically,the pouches or pockets 28, 30, 32 and 34 are formed from flexiblematerial with folds and an open top so that the pockets or pouches areexpandable for support and retention of tools or the like.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 further includes a top opening 41 with azipper 40 for access to the interior of the bag. The lateral sides 24and 26 are folded adjacent the top zipper opening 41 and when the zipper40 is open, then the access to the interior of the bag is a wide mouthopening. A first handle 42 and a second handle 44 are stitched to theopposite panel sides 20 and 22 and are joined by means of a handle gripmember 46. The handle grip member 46 may be released so that the handles42 and 44 are no longer connected or joined thereby enhancing access tothe interior of the bag. Auxiliary carrying strap 18 may also bestitched to the bag and more particularly, to the front panel 20 andback panel 22. The construction of the bag so far described is generallytypical of soft-sided wide mouth carrying bags.

The invention relates particularly to the combination of a telescopinghandle, wheels, and a rigid, supplemental or ancillary bottom platewhich together enable the bag to be provided with structural integrity,yet when the auxiliary bottom panel is removed, permits the bag to befolded or compacted for ease of storage, transport or the like.

Thus, the bag includes a telescoping handle 50 which has, or includes,first and second spaced telescoping bars or rods 52 and 54 connected byhandle member 56. The telescoping bars or rods 52 and 54 comprise aseries of sections which telescope into vertical housings 60 and 62mounted on a cross bracket 64 adjacent a connection or junction 66between back panel 22 and a bottom panel 23. The juncture 66 thusdefines the transition between back panel 22 and bottom panel 23. Thebracket 64 accommodates a first wheel 68 and a second wheel 70 spacedapart one from each other at the juncture 66. With this construction,the telescoping handle 50 may be expanded to enable carriage ortransport of the bag on the wheels of 68, 70. In the embodimentdepicted, the telescoping handle 50 fits or is retained by means of apanel 80 forming a portion of a pouch on the side 22 of the bag. Thetelescoping handle 50 stiffens or renders generally rigid at least aportion of the back side 22. The bracket 64 reinforces or renders rigidthe juncture 66.

The bracket 64 includes a horizontally extending section 82 which isfastened to the flexible bottom panel 23. The section 82 extends fromthe juncture 66 forwardly for approximately 1-3 inches and is preferablymade from a rigid material such as a molded plastic material. The rigidpartial panel or section 82 includes a first pocket or receptacle 90 anda second space pocket or receptacle 92 which will be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

As depicted in FIG. 3, an auxiliary or supplemental, rigid, flat planargenerally rectangular bottom plate 96 is provided to cooperate with thebottom panel 23 and the bracket 64. More specifically, the supplementalbottom panel 96 includes a molded plastic foot construction 98 with afirst molded foot 100 and a second spaced molded foot 102 attachedtogether by means of a cross bar 104. Extending transversely from thefeet 100 and 102 are bayonet members 109 and 111. The bayonet members109 and 111 include leading prongs which fit into the pockets orreceptacles 90 and 92, respectively, and are retained therein by or as aresult of a fastening hook and loop mechanism including the loop strip110 and strip 112 on the bottom side 23 of the bag or container.Compatible with the loop strip 110 and 112 are similar aligned hookstrips 114 and 116. Engaging the hook and loop mechanism (typicallyVelcro fastener) can be accomplished by sliding the bayonet connectionsor members 109 and 111 into their respective pockets 90 and 92. Thebottom panel 96 thus is retained in a fixed or locked configuration bymeans of a fastening means, i.e., strips 110, 112, 114 and 116.

In this manner, the auxiliary plate or member 96 may be easily removedfrom engagement with the bag or attached thereto and retained to providea means for stiffening the bottom panel 23. However, the rigidsupplemental or ancillary bottom panel 96 may be easily removed asnecessary by disengaging the hook and loop fasteners 110, 112, 114, 116and sliding the bayonet connections 109, 111 from engagement with thepockets 90, 92. With the described construction, therefore, the bottompanel 96 renders rigid and thus supports the flexible bag and itscontents. By helping to form or shape the bag, it is possible to moreefficiently store materials in the bag. Further, because the bag is mademore rigid, the utilization of a telescoping handle and wheelsassociated therewith is rendered possible and more functional. Theinternal contents of the bag may also be more easily contained andaccessed with such a construction.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate an alternative embodiment. The embodiment of FIGS.4-7 is directed to a construction wherein a tool carrier is comprisedof, and has the form of, an open top bag which is fitted over a frame.Referring to the Figures, the container or bag includes an outsidecircumferential panel 120, which is made from a flexible material suchas canvas or fabric, and a flexible bottom panel 122. The bottom panel122 is joined to the side panel 120 along a seam, juncture or junction124. In a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the bottomjuncture 124 receives a bracket 126 which supports wheels 128 and 130 aswell as a transverse generally horizontal flat planar, supplemental andremovable rigid bottom plate 132. The bottom plate 132 supports bracket126 to which a telescoping handle 134 is attached in a fashion similarto that as depicted in embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Also attached or affixedto the bottom 122 is a hook and loop fastener mechanism 137. Thefastener mechanism 137 is spaced from the bracket 126. The bracket 126includes a first pocket 136 and a second pocket 138 which are adapted toreceive bayonet projections 140 and 142, respectively, affixed to theoutside face 144 of a supplemental or ancillary bottom plate 146. Thebayonet connectors 140 and 142 are part of a foot bracket 148 which isaffixed to the outside face 144 of the plate 146. The foot bracket 148includes a cross member 150 and a first foot 152 as well as a secondspaced foot 154 attached thereto. The bayonet members 140 and 142 fitinto the pockets 136 and 138, respectively and are retained thereby bythe fastening means (strip) 137 which works in combination with afastening means (strip) 135 on the inside surface of the plate 146. Inthis manner, the bottom panel 122 of the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7 is maderigid or reinforced.

The embodiment further includes, as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, aninternal side panel flap 170 which is stitched to, or joined to, theoutside panel 120 along a top edge 171 of the panel 120. A frame iscomprised of a first or top ring member 172, a second lower closed loopframe member 174 and connecting, longitudinal members 176, 178, 180 and182. The frame members 176, 178, 180 and 182 may all be assembled bybeing snap fitted into brackets such as bracket 184 associated with ringmember 172 and bracket connecting member 178. The ring members 172, 174and longitudinal members 176, 178, 180, 182 thus are used to form aframe which fits on the inside of the passage or opening defined by thefabric panels 120 and 170 as depicted in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the panel170 may be folded downwardly from the top edge 171 over the frame so asto form an open container or bucket with panels of the type depicted inFIG. 4. FIG. 7 illustrates in greater detail the assembly of the framecomprising the rings 172 and 174 as well as the bracket or longitudinalbrace members 178, 180, 176, and 182. In a preferred embodiment, all ofthe members are snap fitted together. The ring member, such as ringmember 172, may be made from a flexible plastic material which is joinedto form a loop by means of a fastener or brace 190. Ring 174 may beassembled or fashioned in the same manner. The formed container mayinclude various storage pouches of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 alongwith a carrying strap, such as strap 192, again illustrated in FIG. 4.

With the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, a telescoping handle 134 is providedand engages against and provides a stiffening component with respect tothe enclosed fabric panel 120. Additionally, the supplemental orauxiliary bottom plate 146 in combination with the bracket 126 and thetelescoping handle 134 provide a means for reinforcing or providingshape to the open topped container illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. Theconstruction of the wheels 128 and 130 in combination with the feet 152and 154 provide that the assembled components will maintain the contentsof the bag or container in a level condition. This is based on adiameter and sizing of the wheels 128, 130, as well as the size of feet152 and 154. The lower panel 146 is retained in position by virtue ofthe engagement of the bayonet connectors 140 and 142 held by thefasteners 136 and 138 in their appropriate position.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate additional items or products which mayincorporate the features of the invention. FIG. 8 is an isometric viewof a duffel bag which is comprised of a flexible fabric, leather, or thelike in most instances. Duffel bag 200 includes a telescoping handle 202and wheels 204 as well as a removable, rigid bottom plate or panel (notshown) with feet 207 to support the duffel. Note that the opening to theduffel bag in this circumstance is on the side of the bag, or in otherwords, in the side panel.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the invention as incorporated in a golfbag. The golf bag of FIG. 9 may comprise a construction similar to thatshown in FIGS. 4-7 wherein the bag is formed on frame members (notshown) which cooperate with the side panels 93 forming the bag. Atelescoping handle 95, wheels 97 and a stiffening auxiliary orsupplemental bottom panel are also provided.

FIGS. 10 through 16 illustrate another alternative embodiment of theinvention. A collapsible bag 201, when expanded has a generallyrectangular parallelepiped shape. Thus, bag 201 includes a front panel202 and a first collapsed side panel 204 in opposition to a second,collapsed, side panel (not shown in FIG. 10). The collapsed bag 201further includes a back panel 206 and a collapsed bottom panel 208. Arigid bracket 210 is provided at the junction or connection of the frontpanel 202 to the bottom panel 208. The bracket 210 supports wheels 212and 214 as well as a stiff or rigid bracket plate 216 that fits over asmall section of the compacted bottom panel 208. The bracket 210 furtherincludes and supports a telescoping handle 218 shown in FIG. 15.Further, the bracket 210 includes a first prong reception pocket 220 anda second prong reception pocket 222 formed on the bracket 210. A foam orlight plastic cleat 224 includes prongs (not shown) that fit within thebracket pockets, passages, or openings 220 and 222. In this manner, thebag 201 may be displayed and supported vertically upright by the wheels212 and 214 as well as the cleat 224.

As shown in FIG. 11, a bottom panel 230 comprises a rigid, supplementalgenerally rectangular plate with a hook and loop fastener 232 along theouter edge thereof and with a foot assembly 234 attached to the bottomside thereof. The foot assembly 234 includes first and second horizontalprongs 236 and 238. The prongs 236 and 238 engage with or slide into thepockets 220 and 222, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 12. Then asdepicted in FIG. 13, the side 204 and the opposite side (not numbered)of the bag 201 may be expanded as may be the bottom side 208 of the bag.The plate, 230 may then be positioned as shown with the prongs 236 and238 within the openings or passages 220 and 222. A flap 240, with a hookand loop fastener 242, may then be folded over and engage the hook andloop fastener 232 of panel or plate 230. This will hold the bottom plate230 tightly in position thereby forming the bottom 208 of the bag 201.The flap 240 thus is stitched to or attached to the front panel 202 ofthe bag 201. The flap 240 thus will fold over and hold the rigid plate230 in position tightly against bottom panel 208 as depicted in FIG. 14.

The foot assembly 234 includes a first foot 244 and a laterally spacedsecond foot 246 which facilitate support of the bag 201 in a levelcondition inasmuch as the foot 244 and 246 are aligned support the bag201 along with the wheels 212 and 214. Thus, the rigid supplementalplate or bottom panel 230 provides a multiplicity of functions. Itrenders the bottom of the bag 201 rigid and maintains the shape of thebottom of the bag. It engages the bracket 210 and in combinationtherewith provides a means for maintaining the bag 201 in a levelsupported condition. The panel or plate 230 when removed permitscompaction of the bag or case 200 for ease of storage and transport aswell as to facilitate display. In this regard, the openings or bracketpassages 220 and 222 have a duel function of providing a temporarysupport for cleat 224 as well as cooperating with the rigid plate 230.

FIG. 15 depicts the manner in which the bag 201 is supported by means ofthe wheels 212, 214 and the plate 230. FIG. 16 illustrates in furtherdetail the interior of the bag 201. The bag is a wide mouth bag similarto the bag depicted in FIG. 1, for example.

FIGS. 17-23 illustrate yet a further embodiment of the invention whichis especially useful as a pet or animal carrier. The embodiment includesa flexible bag 300 having a generally flexible bottom panel 302 with adual wheel assembly 304 affixed to the flexible bottom panel 302 and tothe first side panel 306 as depicted, for example, in FIG. 20. A rigidplate supplemental bottom wall panel 308 includes first and secondspaced bayonet members 310 and 312 which are cooperative withreceptacles 314 and 316, respectively, in bottom panel 302 to hold theplate 308 in position against the flexible bottom on bottom panel 302 ofthe bag 300. A strip of fastening material 318 is provided along upperedge 320 of the panel 308. The fastening material 318 cooperates with afastening band 322 as illustrated in FIG. 19 as well as in FIG. 18 toretain the supplemental bottom panel 308 in position, again asillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The flexible bottom side panel 302 is connected to the flexible frontside panel 324. In the preferred embodiment of the example of FIGS.17-23, the second or front side panel 324 includes a first mesh panel326 and a second mesh panel 328. The mesh panels 326 and 328 areattached to front panel 324 by means of a zipper mechanism 330 and 332,respectively, thereby enabling at least partial opening of the panels326 and/or 328 for access through front panel 324 to the interior of thebag.

A wire loop or other rigid member 334 may be inserted into a pouch 336also attached to and forming a part of the front side or front panel324. The wire loop or reinforcing member 334 extends for the fulldistance between lateral sides 340 and 342 of the front panel 324thereby providing for a means to maintain the form and shape of the bagparticularly when the supplemental rigid bottom panel 308 is in positionas illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18. The embodiment of the figuresis especially useful as an animal carrier inasmuch as the mesh panel328, for example, may be opened and a pet or animal placed within thecarrier. The mesh penal 328 may then be closed to retain the animal inposition or alternatively partially opened so that the animal may haveaccess to the exterior of the bag.

The first side panel, or in other words the back panel, 306 of theembodiment includes a strap assembly which is useful for carrying of thebag in the form of a backpack. Referring to the figures, therefore, andin particular FIGS. 20-23, the back side panel 306 includes a pouch 350into which a first adjustable length strap 352 and a second adjustablesecond strap 354 are inserted. The straps 352 and 354 extend from oradjacent the top of the back side panel 306 to the lower edge 356 of thebag. The straps 252 and 254 may be attached at any convenient placeadjacent the lower edge or side 356 of the bag. In this manner asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 22, the straps 352 and 354 may befully removed from the pouch 350 and adjusted in length so that that thebackpack may be carried in the manner of a traditional backpack with ananimal retained therein and having access through the mesh panel 328previously described. Alternatively of course, the telescoping handle360 may be extended and the wheels 362 and 364 relied upon as analternative mode of transport of the animal carrier/backpack.

As a further feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 17-23, auxiliaryvertical straps 370 and 372 are attached to the back side panel 306. Thestraps 370 and 372 define loops through which a seatbelt 374 may bepassed. In this manner the bag can be placed in a vehicle and retainedin a desired and appropriate orientation and position with an animalhoused therein and safely maintained and retained by virtue of theutilization of a seatbelt. When used as described in this particularmode and as depicted in FIG. 21, the straps 352 and 354 are fully placedwithin the pouch 350. Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 17-23 may beutilized as an animal carrier, movable by the use of the telescopinghandle and wheels. It may be utilized as a carrier having a backpackfeature. Finally it may be utilized for retention of the bag in theenvironment of an automobile for purposes of travel wherein it isretained by a seatbelt to provide for enhanced safety of the animalretained within the bag.

FIGS. 24-28 illustrate an additional embodiment of the inventionincorporating features which enable the collapsible bag to be folded forpackaging and transport and to be unfolded for usage. Referring to thosefigures, the collapsible bag as depicted in FIG. 24 is comprised of abag assembly 400 and a separate generally rigid, supplemental, flat,planar plate or bottom panel 402. The bottom panel 402 is attachable tothe collapsible bag 400 in the manner previously described, for example.That is, the generally rigid bottom panel 402 includes bayonet typealignment fixtures 404 and 406 which fit into slots associated withjuncture 408 between backside planar panel 410 as shown in FIG. 28 and agenerally flexible bottom panel 412. A fold over flap 414 engagesagainst a forward or front edge 420 of the bottom plate 202. Thereby thefront edge of the flexible bottom panel 412 and the front edge 220 ofthe rigid plate bottom panel 402 are joined together. Typically, thefold over flap 414 includes hook and loop fastener material to engagethe front edge 416 of the flat bottom panel 402. In this manner, theflexible bottom panel 412 and the rigid bottom panel 402, which aregenerally congruent, will be held together to form the bottom side ofthe collapsible bag 400. The collapsible bag 400 further includes agenerally rigid backside panel 410 which is maintained as a rigid panelby virtue of the telescoping handle 430 which is attached thereto andoptionally by the inclusion of a reinforcing sheet (not shown) which isrigid or semi-rigid and which is inserted into a pocket or otherwiseattached to the backside panel 410. In this context, therefore, thesubject matter of the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 is analogous to thatpreviously described.

The embodiment of FIGS. 24-28 has a further feature in that it is fullycollapsible and foldable for purposes of packaging, for transport, andthe like. More specifically, the collapsible bag construction 460 ofthis embodiment includes a front side panel 432 and an integral top sidepanel 434 which are attached to the flexible bottom side panel 410 alonga hinge connection 436. Further, the bag 400 includes a first lateralside panel 438 attached along a hinge connection 440 along one lateralside or a first lateral side of the back side or first side panel 410 asa flexible hinge connection. Similarly, a second lateral side panel 442is attached along a flexible hinge connection 444 to the first sidepanel or back panel 410. The panels 438, 442, 412, 432 and 434 aregenerally flexible fabric material although they may include reinforcingelements to make them rigid or semi-rigid. The flexible bottom panel 412is maintained as a flexible panel. It is connected along a hingeconnection 450 to the front side panel 432. The front side panel 432 isa continuation of the bottom side panel 412. Top side panel 434 is aflexible extension of the front side panel 432 and typically is hingedalong a hinge line 452 to the front side panel 432. The front side panel432, bottom panel 412 and top side panel 434 define a continuousperipheral edge 460 beginning at the juncture of the bottom side panel412 with the first side or back side panel 410 and continuing around theentire periphery to the opposite side thereof. This peripheral edgeincludes a fastener mechanism such as a mating section of the zipper.

Similarly, the first lateral side panel 438 includes a peripheral edge462 extending from the juncture of the bottom side panel 412 and thebackside panel 410 across the top edge 464 of the backside panel andaround the peripheral side edge 466 of the second lateral side panel442. Again, the peripheral side edges 462 and its continuation thereof466 include a fastening mechanism such as a portion of a zippermechanism. As a consequence, a fastener, such as a zipper mechanism, maybe operated to attach the bottom side 412, front side 432, top side 434to the first and second lateral sides 438 and 442 as well as to the topedge 464 of the first side panel also known as the backside panel 410.This attachment is illustrated in FIG. 27. In the embodiment as depictedin FIG. 27 the rigid plate bottom panel 402 has been inserted to retainthe configuration of the bag construction 400 and the zippers, such aszipper 470 have been operated to effectively provide an enclosure. Thus,the bag construction of this embodiment may be assembled to thecondition depicted in FIG. 27 by operation of the zipper 470.

Alternatively, the zipper may be released to unfold the bag constructionto a generally coplanar condition as illustrated in FIG. 28. Theconfiguration of FIG. 28 may then be folded for packaging by placing thefirst lateral edge 438 and second lateral side 442 over the backsidepanel 410 and the front panel 432 as well as the bottom side 412 and topside 434 may be folded so that the assembly will assume theconfiguration depicted in FIG. 24. It should be noted that the rigidreinforced plate or bottom plate panel 402 may be placed within thefolded assembly or over the top of the folded assembly when it is in thefolded condition of FIG. 24.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 24-28 the lateral side panels 438 and 442include additional pockets and zippers incorporated therewith. Forexample, an extra flap 474 affixed by means of a zipper 476 is providedfor the first lateral side 438. Handles 478 and 480 are providedattached to the outside of various panels for carrying the bag. Flap 482on the outside of the top panel 434 provides access to additionalstorage. A further flap 484 is attached by means of a zipper fastener486 to the outside face of the front panel 432. Various othermodifications and inclusions of flaps and storage pockets and panels maybe utilized in the practice of the invention. The embodiment of FIGS.24-28 provides the benefit of being foldable into a very compactcondition such as illustrated in FIG. 24 for purposes of packaging,shipment, storage and the like. In the alternative state of itscondition, it is assembled with a generally rigid backside 410 and rigidbottom side 412 reinforced by the plate 402 to provide a bag enclosuresuch as depicted in FIG. 27.

Other embodiments and alternative constructions of the invention arepossible. The size and shape of the auxiliary or supplemental bottompanel may be varied. The number of wheels associated with thetelescoping handle may be varied. The means for interconnecting the backpanel with the bracket that supports the telescoping handle may bevaried or altered all without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. A collapsible bag construction comprising, in combination: a firstbackside panel with a top edge, a first lateral side edge, a secondlateral side edge spaced from the first lateral side edge, and a bottomedge; a generally flexible bottom panel attached to the first side panelbottom edge along a juncture, said bottom panel including opposite sideedges and a front edge; at least one bag transport wheel mounted on thebag construction at the juncture; a telescoping handle mounted on thefirst side panel extending upwardly from the juncture; a generallyrigid, separate, supplemental, generally flat planar plate bottom panelhaving a top side, a bottom side, a back edge and a front edge; areleasable attachment mechanism on the bottom panel to attach thesupplemental bottom panel to the bottom panel to engage and maintain thebottom panel generally transverse to the telescoping handle and firstside panel, said supplemental bottom panel releasable and totallyseparable from said bottom panel; said bag construction furtherincluding a generally flexible front and top panel with a lower edge anda peripheral edge joined to the lower edge, said lower edge hinged tosaid flexible bottom panel front edge; said bag construction furtherincluding a first lateral side panel and a second lateral side panel,said first lateral side panel hinged to the first lateral side edge ofthe first side panel, said first lateral side panel including aperipheral edge; said second side panel hinged to the second lateralside edge of the second side panel, said second lateral side panelincluding a peripheral edge; a releasable fastener for attaching theflexible bottom panel opposite side edges, the front and top panelperipheral edge to the first lateral side panel peripheral edge, thefirst side panel top edge and the second lateral side panel peripheraledge to form an enclosure, said first and second lateral side panels,said front and top panel said bottom panel and said first side panelfoldable to a generally coplanar open flat array or folded overlyingpanel array.